RD160 Reference Tech in a Streamer -- HiFi Rose RS151 Gen 2 -- Like New - Black Finish

Their Reference DAC's Best Ideas Now Live Inside This Streamer

HiFi Rose builds a DAC called the RD160. It's their statement piece -- the one that shows what the company can really do. When it came time to replace the RS150B streamer, they didn't just tweak a few parts. They moved the RD160's core technologies into a streaming platform. The DPC module. The NRA filter. The Femto clock. All of it. The RS151 Gen 2 is the result.

From Touchscreens to Turntables -- A Korean Tech Company's Audio Obsession

Citech started in Seoul, Korea in 1967 building hardware and software for businesses. Touchscreen kiosks. Set-top boxes. Then Chairman Youngmin Kim -- a lifelong music lover -- decided the company's engineering talent should build the streamer he couldn't find anywhere else. HiFi Rose launched in 2017. Today about 40 engineers work on nothing but audio.

Product: HiFi Rose RS151 High Performance Network Streamer Gen 2 - Black Condition: Like-New In Box (box has been opened, unit inspected only) Retail: $5,695

The Brain -- ROSE DPC Module and Femto Clock

The ROSE DPC (Digital Processing Core) module handles everything before the signal hits the DAC chip. It takes the incoming digital stream, locks it to a high-precision Femto clock, and converts it into a clean I2S signal. The GUI and interface circuits are completely isolated from the audio signal path. No digital noise sneaks through. That's really what this is about -- getting the cleanest possible signal to the DAC stage.

The DAC -- ESS ES9039PRO with Independent 8-Channel Processing

The ES9039PRO is ESS Technology's flagship chip. It uses 4th generation Hyperstream technology. But here's what makes this different from the old RS150B. The previous model shared circuits between channels. The RS151 runs all 8 channels independently. The signal-to-noise ratio jumps from 121dB to 131.4dB. Total harmonic distortion drops to 0.0002%. Stereo imaging and channel separation improve across the board.

The Analog Stage -- ROSE NRA Filter

The ROSE NRA (Noise Reduction Analog) filter came straight from the RD160 project. It eliminates noise while keeping frequency response flat across the entire range -- no roll-off at the extremes. High-precision MELF resistors and WIMA film capacitors handle the output stage. The result is clean, natural sound that preserves everything in the original recording.

The Display -- 15.4 Inches of Full HD Multi-Touch Control

Most streamers need a phone or tablet to do anything useful. The RS151 puts a 15.4" Full HD touchscreen right on the front panel. Browse Qobuz. Scroll through TIDAL. Manage a million-track library. Check album art in sharp detail. Customize the interface with VU meters. It's like having a dedicated tablet built into a reference-grade audio component.

The Engine -- 8-Core RK3588 Processor

The new processor delivers 4 times the computing power of the RS150B. RAM doubled to 8GB. Storage quadrupled to 32GB. The RS151 runs Android 12 and handles everything from high-res audio files to 4K HDR video without lag. Streaming apps like Apple Music, Spotify, TIDAL, and Qobuz load fast and run smooth. Library capacity has tripled to support over a million tracks.

PCM-to-DSD512 Upsampling

The RS150B couldn't do this at all. The RS151 converts any PCM audio source to DSD and upsamples it all the way to DSD512. It preserves the fine details of the original file while adding the warmth and smoothness that DSD is known for. Preferences are adjustable to taste.

Built-in Toroidal Linear Power Supply

A clean power supply matters more than most people realize. The RS151 uses a built-in toroidal transformer with decoupling capacitors that have low ESR and high ripple current capacity. This filters high-frequency noise and keeps the power supply stable. A single-point ground design minimizes ground loops and suppresses interference.

Beyond Audio -- 4K Video and Full Connectivity

The RS151 also outputs 4K video through HDMI. RoseTube delivers curated music videos and YouTube content. TIDAL subscribers get access to music videos and exclusive content. HDMI eARC input means it handles TV audio too -- up to 24-bit/192kHz. Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX, Roon Ready, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and DLNA round out the streaming options.

Storage and Media Options

Install a 2.5" SSD for local storage. Use Micro SD cards or connect a NAS drive through one of 3 USB 3.0 ports -- up to 10TB of external storage. Plug in a USB CD drive and the RS151 rips CDs directly to the internal drive. It even plays CDs in real time. TIDAL and RoseTube caching keeps playback smooth when the internet gets spotty.

What's Included:

• HiFi Rose RS151 Gen 2 Network Streamer (Black)
• IR Remote Control
• Power Cable
• Original Documentation
• Original Packaging

Condition Details

This unit is in like-new condition. The box was opened and the contents were inspected. That's it. Everything is complete with all original accessories and packaging.

SPECIFICATIONS:

DAC:

• DAC Chip: ESS ES9039PRO (4th Gen Hyperstream)
• SNR: 131.4dB
• THD+N: 0.0002%
• PCM Support: Up to 32-bit/768kHz
• DSD Support: Up to DSD512 (Native)
• MQA: Full Decoding

Processing:

• CPU: 8-Core RK3588
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
• Storage: 32GB eMMC
• OS: Android 12
• Library Capacity: 1,000,000+ tracks

Display:

• Size: 15.4" Full HD
• Type: Multi-Touch IPS
• Features: Wide Viewing Angle, Customizable UI, VU Meters

Digital Inputs:

• USB-B (PC Audio): PCM 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512
• Coaxial: PCM 24-bit/384kHz, DSD128
• AES/EBU: PCM 24-bit/384kHz, DSD128
• Optical: PCM 24-bit/192kHz, DSD64
• HDMI eARC: PCM 24-bit/192kHz
• USB 3.0: 3 Ports (Media/Storage)
• Bluetooth: 5.4 with aptX, SBC, AAC

Analog Inputs:

• RCA Stereo: 1 Pair

Analog Outputs:

• Balanced XLR: 1 Pair
• RCA: 1 Pair
• Output Mode: Fixed or Variable

Digital Outputs:

• Coaxial, Optical, AES/EBU, I2S (HDMI), USB
• HDMI: 4K Video Output

Networking:

• Ethernet: Gigabit (10/100/1000 BASE-T)
• WiFi: Via USB Dongle
• Streaming: Roon Ready, AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, Spotify Connect

Storage:

• Internal: 2.5" SSD (SATA 3.0)
• Micro SD Card Slot
• External: USB/NAS up to 10TB

Other:

• Trigger In/Out
• IR Remote Control
• Rose Connect App (iOS, Android, PC)
• CD Playback and Ripping (via USB Drive)

Dimensions and Weight:

• Dimensions: 16.93" W x 4.92" H x 12.56" D
• Weight: 24.25 lbs
• Chassis: Precision-Machined Solid Aluminum